The Catholic Church honors Christ’s Presence in the Holy Eucharist with a special feast owing to St. Juliana of Liège, a 13th-century Norbertine canoness from Belgium. She had a great love for the Eucharist. When she was 16, she had a vision in which the Church was a full moon with a dark spot. The dark spot signified that the Church was missing a feast dedicated solely to the Body and Blood of Christ. Even though she had this vision several times, St. Juliana didn’t think that she could do anything to help institute this feast. Therefore, she kept it a secret for many years. Once she was elected prioress, she finally told her confessor, who in turn told the bishop. This eventually led to the Universal Feast of Corpus Christi.
The Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life” (Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium, no. 11). In the Eucharist, Jesus Himself re-presents for our benefit His Sacrifice on Calvary (Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:26-29), gives Himself to us in Holy Communion (Exodus 16:4, 35; John 6:1-14, 48-51), and remains among us until the end of the age (Luke 24:13-35; Matthew 28:18-20). He comes to us in this humble form, making Himself vulnerable, out of love for each one of us. Yet, as God Himself, the Body and Blood of Christ deserve our utmost respect and love, as well as our adoration.
St. Thomas Aquinas, Hymn “Tantum Ergo”
Whenever the Eucharist is exposed for the adoration of the people, it is placed in a sacred vessel called a Monstrance, whose clear glass permits the viewing of the Sacred Host. Such Exposition can take several forms, on the altar in a parish, for adoration and prayer, public devotions such as Eucharistic Benediction, and public processions on Corpus Christi, or at other times. In Catholic countries, such processions often go throughout the city. The faithful usually sing and pray, all in honor of our Eucharistic King. This practice began in the 14th century, and it has been promoted by popes, councils, and saints as a wonderful way to show the supreme importance of the Eucharist and the love that we have for Him.
Source: EWTN
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